Grandma Fraud
by Richard Hannibal
Not too long ago I was dispatched to a call where an 86-year-old woman was swindled out of $2,900.00. Here is how the scenario went.
Telephone rings . . .
Grandma: Hello!
Bill: "Hi Grandma, this is Bill. I'm in jail in Canada. Some buddies and I came to Canada to do some fishing and I got drunk and was involved in a traffic accident. I need $2900 to get bailed out. Please send it to me, I'm miserable here. Oh, by the way, don't tell dad or any of the family. I don't want them to find out, because they will worry and I will be embarrassed.
Grandma: "Bill, are you alright. Of course, I will send you the money. Where do I send it?"
Bill: "Don't worry about me, Grandma. My lawyer will call you in a little while and tell you where to send the money. Thank you for helping me, I promise I will repay you."
Several minutes pass by and the telephone rings again.
Mr. Simon: "Hello, this is Mr. Jeremy Simon, I am Bill's court appointed attorney. I can get Bill released and all charges dropped if you send me $2900 for fines and court costs. Just send a MoneyGram to Quebec, Canada in the name of Jeremy Simon. If you have any questions you can call me at (gives a telephone number with a Quebec prefix)."
Grandma is not dumb and she calls the telephone number supplied by Mr. Simon. Mr. Simon answers and confirms the telephone number and reaffirms he is Bill's court appointed attorney.
Grandma, with love in her heart, and concern for Bill, rushes to her bank and takes out $2900 in cash. She then goes to a local super market and obtains a MoneyGram and sends it as directed.
Grandma waits a whole day for confirmation that the money was received and Bill has been released.
The next day, Grandma learns that Bill is safely home and has never been to Canada. Grandma quickly calls Mr. Simon's telephone number and it has been disconnected. Grandma rushes to her bank to see if they will cover her loss and they will not. Grandma calls the police authorities in Quebec and learns that she has been a victim of a widespread scam originating in Canada. She was referred to her local police department.
Local police are almost helpless in these cases and the criminals, usually operating out of the United States, are pretty much free to carry on their fraudulent practices. It is fairly easy to get enough personal information off the internet to perpetuate this fraud. If you don't believe me, simply do a Google search of your name.
So, what would happen if Grandma had questioned this telephone call and checked on "Bill?" The caller would have simply hung up and turned his attention to the 350 million other potential victims in our nation.
The criminals use throw-away telephones that cannot be traced. I was shocked to find out that MoneyGram, Western Union, and similar money transfers sent to a particular area and name can be obtained anywhere in the system by someone using fake identification. In other words, money sent via a MoneyGram to Jeremy Simon in Quebec, can be received by Jeremy Simon (using fake identification) in New York City. Thus, the evidence in the crime disappears like mist in a breeze.
The outrage of this type of fraud is it preys on love rather than greed. And, it preys on the elderly—that part of our society that can ill-afford the loss. So, it is time to have a conversation with Grandma, Grandpa, and any other family member who may be potential victims. 
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